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Jasmine Tea
"You will never be able to revive me; corpses don’t get resurrected from the dead."
On Kenda's first day of marriage to Ali, she's bombarded with the following
Her husband is a widower who doesn't love her, and she must take care of a three-month-old baby that's not hers.
On Ali's first day of his marriage with Kenda, he doesn't mention the murder of his father. Plus, he never talks about the secrets he once shared with his dead wife, Niveen before she committed suicide.
Kenda wants to be accepted and loved in her new family because she was always unwelcome in her old one.
Yet, all that Ali wants is for Kenda to be out of the picture.
On Kenda's first day of marriage to Ali, she's bombarded with the following
Her husband is a widower who doesn't love her, and she must take care of a three-month-old baby that's not hers.
On Ali's first day of his marriage with Kenda, he doesn't mention the murder of his father. Plus, he never talks about the secrets he once shared with his dead wife, Niveen before she committed suicide.
Kenda wants to be accepted and loved in her new family because she was always unwelcome in her old one.
Yet, all that Ali wants is for Kenda to be out of the picture.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2023
7 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Sara Badawieh
4 books94 followersSara Badawieh is a practicing architect and a mother. She loves to read a variety of genres and to work out her fingers on her keyboard.
Music, cake, and coffee are her best friends.
Sara lived in Montreal, Dubai, and in Amman. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from McGill University and a Masters degree in Sustainable Architecture from BUID.
She is married to the most wonderful man in the world and has two sons.
In her free time, she loves to bake and jump around with her kids.
Music, cake, and coffee are her best friends.
Sara lived in Montreal, Dubai, and in Amman. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from McGill University and a Masters degree in Sustainable Architecture from BUID.
She is married to the most wonderful man in the world and has two sons.
In her free time, she loves to bake and jump around with her kids.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 4, 2023
I always find it a challenge to review Sara Badawieh’s books because I know the author personally and I do want to say something nice about her work. Fortunately, Badawieh is a talented writer and she makes my life easy enough because her novels are page turners. Her latest novel “Jasmine Tea” is no exception . In fact, out of all three books she had authored, it is my favourite.
Packed with plot twists, the novel tells the story of Kenda , a young girl seeking to escape the torments of her abusive stepfather who molests her and her mother who does nothing to defend her. She even agrees to marry Ali through an arranged marriage, not knowing that Ali comes with baggage of his own.
On the first day of her marriage, Kenda learns that Ali is grieving the loss of his wife Niveen who had committed suicide, and that Niveen had left him with a baby girl to take care of .
Desperate to belong to any family, Kenda agrees to the challenges of her new life including: living with a husband who had made it clear that he doesn’t love her or even want to know her, an absent father to the baby she finds herself forced to be a mother to, and the shadow of Ali’s ex-wife who she feels she has to compete with.
Fortunately , Kenda finds soluce in her love for baking, a mother and sister in law who love her , and a new job making desserts for the neighbourhood cafe, as well as the new bond she is forming with the baby girl . Dispite the joy she finds in these aspects of her life, she is still hindered by a need to find out why her husband is acting the way he is , as well as a need to know more about his past, and his ex wife .
I won’t tell you how this story ends, but I will say that while reading it you will be hit with enough surprises to keep you interested and entertained.
Nicely structured, Jasmine Tea’s ‘thick plot unravels in two separate timelines , one set in the present through which we learn how Kenda is managing her day to day life and one set in the past, through which we eventually get any lingering questions answered.
As a reader, I especially liked how the characters in this novel are all realistic and relatable , but my least favourite character was Niveen. I just felt that she was so spoilt and needy to the pint where at times I wanted Ali to smack her. But, again this is a testimony to good writing . My second least favourite character was the stepdad. I think the author did a good job in making him look and sound filthy. But, I especially liked Ali and Kenda because they each bad realistic points of weakness resulting from their dark pasts. .I really commend the author for the fact that Ali was never portrayed as a saint nor was Kenda ever portrayed as a hapless victim
With that said, I only wish that the author used real street names and locations in Amman for the setting of the story. As a reader living in the city where this captivating tale is told , I would have liked to have been able to visualise the area where they were living , the university that Ali attended, and where Kenda’s parents lived. I couldn’t really place whether Kenda came from a conservative family or a modern one , or understand why Ali’s friends seemed to be from the rich upper class while he wasn’t. I just think that adding real geography would have helped add context and it would have better answered such questions.
All in all, I really enjoyed spending the last week in Kenda and Ali’s world . Bringing to life a plot full of surprises , Jasmine Tea is an entertaining read. At least for me, it made me want to wake up earlier than usual each day to get in an hour of reading before having to go to work.
Packed with plot twists, the novel tells the story of Kenda , a young girl seeking to escape the torments of her abusive stepfather who molests her and her mother who does nothing to defend her. She even agrees to marry Ali through an arranged marriage, not knowing that Ali comes with baggage of his own.
On the first day of her marriage, Kenda learns that Ali is grieving the loss of his wife Niveen who had committed suicide, and that Niveen had left him with a baby girl to take care of .
Desperate to belong to any family, Kenda agrees to the challenges of her new life including: living with a husband who had made it clear that he doesn’t love her or even want to know her, an absent father to the baby she finds herself forced to be a mother to, and the shadow of Ali’s ex-wife who she feels she has to compete with.
Fortunately , Kenda finds soluce in her love for baking, a mother and sister in law who love her , and a new job making desserts for the neighbourhood cafe, as well as the new bond she is forming with the baby girl . Dispite the joy she finds in these aspects of her life, she is still hindered by a need to find out why her husband is acting the way he is , as well as a need to know more about his past, and his ex wife .
I won’t tell you how this story ends, but I will say that while reading it you will be hit with enough surprises to keep you interested and entertained.
Nicely structured, Jasmine Tea’s ‘thick plot unravels in two separate timelines , one set in the present through which we learn how Kenda is managing her day to day life and one set in the past, through which we eventually get any lingering questions answered.
As a reader, I especially liked how the characters in this novel are all realistic and relatable , but my least favourite character was Niveen. I just felt that she was so spoilt and needy to the pint where at times I wanted Ali to smack her. But, again this is a testimony to good writing . My second least favourite character was the stepdad. I think the author did a good job in making him look and sound filthy. But, I especially liked Ali and Kenda because they each bad realistic points of weakness resulting from their dark pasts. .I really commend the author for the fact that Ali was never portrayed as a saint nor was Kenda ever portrayed as a hapless victim
With that said, I only wish that the author used real street names and locations in Amman for the setting of the story. As a reader living in the city where this captivating tale is told , I would have liked to have been able to visualise the area where they were living , the university that Ali attended, and where Kenda’s parents lived. I couldn’t really place whether Kenda came from a conservative family or a modern one , or understand why Ali’s friends seemed to be from the rich upper class while he wasn’t. I just think that adding real geography would have helped add context and it would have better answered such questions.
All in all, I really enjoyed spending the last week in Kenda and Ali’s world . Bringing to life a plot full of surprises , Jasmine Tea is an entertaining read. At least for me, it made me want to wake up earlier than usual each day to get in an hour of reading before having to go to work.
June 4, 2025
Jana:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was such a gripping page-turner, I couldn’t put it down. I especially loved the structure of it, with its alternating POVs between past and present. It showed a powerful juxtaposition of Ali’s relationships with Niveen and with Kenda, showing how each began, evolved, and eventually ended. Every character felt very human; we got to see the good, the bad, and the ugly in all of them. And the setting was beautifully described, it truly felt like the Amman I know and love.
⸻
🐝 Dana:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This novel sheds light on numerous societal issues, and interestingly explores the weaknesses of human beings, through an utterly engaging storyline and a great deal of plot twists.
I was also very fond of the rich descriptions, as well as the development of characters throughout the book up until the very end.
Undoubtedly, I was flipping page after the other eager to know more, and was left many times at the edge of my seat.
⸻
🐝 Hind:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
From the very first pages, I despised Ali. I truly felt sorry for Kenda, she’s been through so much. A real survivor and a strong woman, doing what she must in a complicated marriage filled with secrets. There’s so much Kenda doesn’t know about Ali, and the deeper the story goes, the more tangled it becomes.
The writing is simple, the plot gripping, and the emotions feel real. It kept me hooked—a quiet but powerful story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was such a gripping page-turner, I couldn’t put it down. I especially loved the structure of it, with its alternating POVs between past and present. It showed a powerful juxtaposition of Ali’s relationships with Niveen and with Kenda, showing how each began, evolved, and eventually ended. Every character felt very human; we got to see the good, the bad, and the ugly in all of them. And the setting was beautifully described, it truly felt like the Amman I know and love.
⸻
🐝 Dana:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This novel sheds light on numerous societal issues, and interestingly explores the weaknesses of human beings, through an utterly engaging storyline and a great deal of plot twists.
I was also very fond of the rich descriptions, as well as the development of characters throughout the book up until the very end.
Undoubtedly, I was flipping page after the other eager to know more, and was left many times at the edge of my seat.
⸻
🐝 Hind:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
From the very first pages, I despised Ali. I truly felt sorry for Kenda, she’s been through so much. A real survivor and a strong woman, doing what she must in a complicated marriage filled with secrets. There’s so much Kenda doesn’t know about Ali, and the deeper the story goes, the more tangled it becomes.
The writing is simple, the plot gripping, and the emotions feel real. It kept me hooked—a quiet but powerful story.
November 16, 2025
"She was a fighter, but deep down, she was a broken mess."
While reading the first 80 pages I was like: no way I'm giving this more than two stars, but then, the story just took another level!
The thing is, at first you think that the writer is siding with her main characters and trying to convince you they're right. But while going ahead, you understand that she is telling you: no one is perfect, and mistakes are erasable only if you decide to erase them.
I love how she gave depth to each single character, every character is layered and you may love them or hate them or do both at the same time!
And I absolutely love how round Kenda is. She decided to change herself and her world and made a decision to stand strong.
And the plot twists Ohhhh. She definitely wins in keeping you alert and surprised. Till the last page there were continuous changes and amazing plot twists.
"It is time to let go. Appreciate what you have instead of mourning the things you've lost."
Thank you, Sara Badawieh, for this lovely joyful read! :)
While reading the first 80 pages I was like: no way I'm giving this more than two stars, but then, the story just took another level!
The thing is, at first you think that the writer is siding with her main characters and trying to convince you they're right. But while going ahead, you understand that she is telling you: no one is perfect, and mistakes are erasable only if you decide to erase them.
I love how she gave depth to each single character, every character is layered and you may love them or hate them or do both at the same time!
And I absolutely love how round Kenda is. She decided to change herself and her world and made a decision to stand strong.
And the plot twists Ohhhh. She definitely wins in keeping you alert and surprised. Till the last page there were continuous changes and amazing plot twists.
"It is time to let go. Appreciate what you have instead of mourning the things you've lost."
Thank you, Sara Badawieh, for this lovely joyful read! :)
April 8, 2025
هذه ثاني رواية أقرأها للكاتبة سارة بدوية، وهي رواية درامية رومانسية تدور أحداثها في مدينة عمّان في الأردن. تتميز الرواية بأجوائها الواقعية وقربها من تفاصيل الحياة اليومية، حيث تسلط الضوء على شخصيات تعيش تجارب إنسانية مؤثرة.
القصة تدور حول شخصيتين رئيسيتين: كندا وعلي، إلى جانب شخصيات ثانوية مثل أم مالك (أم علي) ونيفين. كندا فتاة تعاني من شعور دائم بعدم الأمان، خصوصًا بعد وفاة والدها وانتقالها للعيش في بيت زوج أمها، حيث تُحرم من الحنان العائلي والدعم النفسي. أما علي، فقد عاش فقدان عدد من أعز الأشخاص على قلبه، مثل أخيه الأكبر مالك ووالده، مما جعله يعيش في ظل حزن دائم وصدمات متتالية.
تتسارع الأحداث عندما تُجبَر كندا على الزواج من علي، آملة أن تجد في هذا الزواج مخرجًا من حياتها الصعبة وعائلة تمنحها الحب. لكنها تُفاجأ بأن علي نفسه مُجبر على الزواج لأسباب أخرى. ومن هنا تبدأ رحلة كندا في اكتشاف خفايا حياة علي، والصدمات التي مر بها. والسؤال الذي يرافق القارئ: هل ستتمكن كندا من تجاوز الماضي وتعيش حياة سعيدة معه في النهاية؟
رأيي في الرواية:
أحببت الرواية كثيرًا، خاصة أن أحداثها تدور في عمّان، مما جعلني أتخيل الأماكن بسهولة وأشعر بالقرب من الشخصيات. أُعجبت بشخصية كندا وقوتها في مواجهة التحديات والتغلب على مخاوفها. ومع ذلك، لدي ملاحظة بسيطة: شعرت أن وتيرة الأحداث في النهاية كانت سريعة بعض الشيء، خصوصًا في طريقة تعافي كندا وتغيرها المفاجئ.
لكن بالرغم من ذلك، كانت الرواية تجربة ممتعة، وأعادت لي شغف القراءة بعد انقطاع طويل.
This is the second novel I read by the author Sarah Badawieh, and it’s a romantic drama set in the city of Amman, Jordan. The story stands out for its realistic atmosphere and relatable everyday details, shedding light on characters going through deeply human experiences.
The plot revolves around two main characters: Kinda and Ali, alongside supporting characters like Um Malik (Ali’s mother) and Niveen. Kinda is a girl who suffers from a constant sense of insecurity, especially after her father’s death and moving into her stepfather’s house, where she is deprived of familial warmth and emotional support. On the other hand, Ali has experienced the loss of several people close to his heart, including his older brother Malik and his father, which left him living under the weight of grief and trauma.
The story takes a turn when Kinda is forced to marry Ali, hoping to escape her difficult life and find love in a new family. However, she is shocked to discover that Ali himself is also being forced into the marriage for different reasons. This marks the beginning of Kinda’s journey to uncover the secrets of Ali’s past and the emotional struggles he’s faced. The lingering question is: will Kinda be able to overcome the past and find happiness with him in the end?
I really enjoyed the book, especially because it’s set in Amman—I could easily visualize the locations and feel close to the characters. I loved Kinda’s personality and her strength in dealing with her problems and overcoming her fears. However, I do have a small comment: I felt that the pace of the story sped up too quickly toward the end, particularly in how fast Kinda recovered and changed.
Still, the novel was an enjoyable read, especially after a long break from reading fiction.
القصة تدور حول شخصيتين رئيسيتين: كندا وعلي، إلى جانب شخصيات ثانوية مثل أم مالك (أم علي) ونيفين. كندا فتاة تعاني من شعور دائم بعدم الأمان، خصوصًا بعد وفاة والدها وانتقالها للعيش في بيت زوج أمها، حيث تُحرم من الحنان العائلي والدعم النفسي. أما علي، فقد عاش فقدان عدد من أعز الأشخاص على قلبه، مثل أخيه الأكبر مالك ووالده، مما جعله يعيش في ظل حزن دائم وصدمات متتالية.
تتسارع الأحداث عندما تُجبَر كندا على الزواج من علي، آملة أن تجد في هذا الزواج مخرجًا من حياتها الصعبة وعائلة تمنحها الحب. لكنها تُفاجأ بأن علي نفسه مُجبر على الزواج لأسباب أخرى. ومن هنا تبدأ رحلة كندا في اكتشاف خفايا حياة علي، والصدمات التي مر بها. والسؤال الذي يرافق القارئ: هل ستتمكن كندا من تجاوز الماضي وتعيش حياة سعيدة معه في النهاية؟
رأيي في الرواية:
أحببت الرواية كثيرًا، خاصة أن أحداثها تدور في عمّان، مما جعلني أتخيل الأماكن بسهولة وأشعر بالقرب من الشخصيات. أُعجبت بشخصية كندا وقوتها في مواجهة التحديات والتغلب على مخاوفها. ومع ذلك، لدي ملاحظة بسيطة: شعرت أن وتيرة الأحداث في النهاية كانت سريعة بعض الشيء، خصوصًا في طريقة تعافي كندا وتغيرها المفاجئ.
لكن بالرغم من ذلك، كانت الرواية تجربة ممتعة، وأعادت لي شغف القراءة بعد انقطاع طويل.
This is the second novel I read by the author Sarah Badawieh, and it’s a romantic drama set in the city of Amman, Jordan. The story stands out for its realistic atmosphere and relatable everyday details, shedding light on characters going through deeply human experiences.
The plot revolves around two main characters: Kinda and Ali, alongside supporting characters like Um Malik (Ali’s mother) and Niveen. Kinda is a girl who suffers from a constant sense of insecurity, especially after her father’s death and moving into her stepfather’s house, where she is deprived of familial warmth and emotional support. On the other hand, Ali has experienced the loss of several people close to his heart, including his older brother Malik and his father, which left him living under the weight of grief and trauma.
The story takes a turn when Kinda is forced to marry Ali, hoping to escape her difficult life and find love in a new family. However, she is shocked to discover that Ali himself is also being forced into the marriage for different reasons. This marks the beginning of Kinda’s journey to uncover the secrets of Ali’s past and the emotional struggles he’s faced. The lingering question is: will Kinda be able to overcome the past and find happiness with him in the end?
I really enjoyed the book, especially because it’s set in Amman—I could easily visualize the locations and feel close to the characters. I loved Kinda’s personality and her strength in dealing with her problems and overcoming her fears. However, I do have a small comment: I felt that the pace of the story sped up too quickly toward the end, particularly in how fast Kinda recovered and changed.
Still, the novel was an enjoyable read, especially after a long break from reading fiction.
July 2, 2023
"Jasmine Tea" is an emotions-provoking and immersive novel that takes readers on a journey through one of the very common intricacies of today's world. With its truthful feelings/ relatable characters, this book offers readers a striking reflection of the realities Women face in our daily lives.
Sara’s ability to capture the essence of the struggle of women is truly remarkable. The story delves deep into the complexities of family members relationships, societal pressures, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment. The way she describe the characters that you start feeling that they are like real people in your life, with their flaws, vulnerabilities, and aspirations laid bare.
What sets this book apart is its unflinching portrayal of the challenges and wins that replicate the experiences of many of women in our community. The writer fearlessly explores timely issues such as social inequality, home harassment, and the impact of of it on the future of those girls as women.
Overall, "Jasmine Tea" is an exceptional novel that holds a mirror up to the contradictory contemporary world we are living in. It serves as a reminder of the power of literature to shed light on the issues and complexities of our time. This book is a must-read for anyone been through any type of struggle, this can be an eye opener for those who needs hope and support to make it through life, this book is a window to the possibilities a person has when they have the determination to accomplish something. The story of this book proves that “when there is a well there is away.”
To the writer, to my friend Sara, a third strike of great success, and as we know “Third Time's the Charm” I was proud reading this book and I am proud writing this review.
Congratulations to you dear and I cannot wait to read your 4th book.
Sara’s ability to capture the essence of the struggle of women is truly remarkable. The story delves deep into the complexities of family members relationships, societal pressures, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment. The way she describe the characters that you start feeling that they are like real people in your life, with their flaws, vulnerabilities, and aspirations laid bare.
What sets this book apart is its unflinching portrayal of the challenges and wins that replicate the experiences of many of women in our community. The writer fearlessly explores timely issues such as social inequality, home harassment, and the impact of of it on the future of those girls as women.
Overall, "Jasmine Tea" is an exceptional novel that holds a mirror up to the contradictory contemporary world we are living in. It serves as a reminder of the power of literature to shed light on the issues and complexities of our time. This book is a must-read for anyone been through any type of struggle, this can be an eye opener for those who needs hope and support to make it through life, this book is a window to the possibilities a person has when they have the determination to accomplish something. The story of this book proves that “when there is a well there is away.”
To the writer, to my friend Sara, a third strike of great success, and as we know “Third Time's the Charm” I was proud reading this book and I am proud writing this review.
Congratulations to you dear and I cannot wait to read your 4th book.
October 1, 2025
"She was a fighter, but deep down, she was a broken mess."
Kinda is a young woman in her early twenties who always feels insecure, unloved, and uncared for by her family. Circumstances force her to marry Ali, a silent, mysterious man with a dark past.
This is a social novel that reveals many aspects of a woman's determination and strength, and sheds light on several important social issues.
It's a wonderful novel that I liked very much. Every character in it was cleverly drawn, and the shocking twist in the story left me in complete awe.
Kinda is a young woman in her early twenties who always feels insecure, unloved, and uncared for by her family. Circumstances force her to marry Ali, a silent, mysterious man with a dark past.
This is a social novel that reveals many aspects of a woman's determination and strength, and sheds light on several important social issues.
It's a wonderful novel that I liked very much. Every character in it was cleverly drawn, and the shocking twist in the story left me in complete awe.
September 5, 2025
This book is soo amazing. I stayed up till 2 a.m. and finished it, the plot is wonderful and the way it's written is great
February 23, 2024
Sara Badawieh never ceases to amaze me.
I’m yet again, delighted to have read another book by her. And although I loved all her three novels, this one is by far my favourite!
Reading Sara’s works is interesting because you witness actual development in her writing, whether it be in the writing style and language, or even in the manner of character building.
This novel sheds light on numerous societal issues, and interestingly explores the weaknesses of human beings, through an utterly engaging storyline and a great deal of plot twists.
No character is an absolute angel, and no character is purely evil, well, except for one.
This is something for the author to be especially praised for; because while this novel touches on sensitive topics, it’s crucial to not be biased against (almost) any of the characters.
I was also very fond of the rich descriptions, as well as the development of characters throughout the book up until the very end.
Undoubtedly, I was flipping page after the other eager to know more, and was left many times at the edge of my seat.
For the readers, I sincerely hope that you don’t end up villainising that one particular character whom I won’t mention the name of for the sake of not spoiling the story, but you would know who by the end of the book. If you do think they’re somehow villains just because they weren’t particularly good then I wonder if you have actually gotten the message of this book.
I cannot express enough how proud I am of Jordan’s loveliest author, Sara Badawieh. She has done an exceptional job writing this novel. I’m keenly looking forward to her fourth novel insha’allah.🫶🏻
I’m yet again, delighted to have read another book by her. And although I loved all her three novels, this one is by far my favourite!
Reading Sara’s works is interesting because you witness actual development in her writing, whether it be in the writing style and language, or even in the manner of character building.
This novel sheds light on numerous societal issues, and interestingly explores the weaknesses of human beings, through an utterly engaging storyline and a great deal of plot twists.
No character is an absolute angel, and no character is purely evil, well, except for one.
This is something for the author to be especially praised for; because while this novel touches on sensitive topics, it’s crucial to not be biased against (almost) any of the characters.
I was also very fond of the rich descriptions, as well as the development of characters throughout the book up until the very end.
Undoubtedly, I was flipping page after the other eager to know more, and was left many times at the edge of my seat.
For the readers, I sincerely hope that you don’t end up villainising that one particular character whom I won’t mention the name of for the sake of not spoiling the story, but you would know who by the end of the book. If you do think they’re somehow villains just because they weren’t particularly good then I wonder if you have actually gotten the message of this book.
I cannot express enough how proud I am of Jordan’s loveliest author, Sara Badawieh. She has done an exceptional job writing this novel. I’m keenly looking forward to her fourth novel insha’allah.🫶🏻
October 22, 2025
Last night i finished reading Jasmine tea!
It was simple, smooth and enjoyable.
I love reading about places i am familiar with!!
And loved that the author chose characters and events inspired from our Arab society and about some false ideas we need to change.
This was my first time reading for Sara Badawieh and definitely wouldn’t be the last one.
It was simple, smooth and enjoyable.
I love reading about places i am familiar with!!
And loved that the author chose characters and events inspired from our Arab society and about some false ideas we need to change.
This was my first time reading for Sara Badawieh and definitely wouldn’t be the last one.
July 5, 2023
☕️I have always been a reader of author’s works and trust me she is one of those writers I wanna go back to when ever I’m finding comfort! When I got to know this book is out, I just couldn’t stop it but read and I must say it truly a commendable read that made a way to my heart!
Firstly, kudos to the author for actually adding so many flavours to the story, there is fun, entertainment, grief, past, abuse, secrets and so much in just a single book!
Kenda has a troubled fast and a malfunctioning family, when she finally thinks things might get better they get even worse and being not accepted is the worst thing ever! On the other hand we have Ali, I had mixed feelings for this character throughout but eventually I kinda developed good feelings for him later on!
My heart goes to Kenda for being tough and resilient and being kind, I liked how she tries to find hope in the everything even in the darkest of times!
This book also taught me a lot things, Jasmine Tea is like entering a complete new world and getting to know the characters and feeling a connection with them is truly a best feeling!
It’s an engaging read for sure, it’s medium paced and loved how beautifully the author adds details to the story, there were places where I truly feel overwhelmed, this book is a great balance of life and drama! Definitely something I would recommend any day! Go for it!
Rating: 4.5⭐️
August 20, 2025
المعنى الحقيقي لأن يلمس القاريء تطور الكاتب و تمكنّه من فنون الكتابة أكثر من أعماله السابقة..فها هي سارة بدوية كما أمتعتنا في داليا.. جاءت ب jasmine tea بجرعة متقنة من الحبكات و الخطوط المتداخلة.. التي ستظنها متوازية و لكنك ستتفاجأ أنها متداخلة و متشابكة و أن الدنيا أصغر مما تظن كما يقولون..
الرواية من نوع الفصول المعنونة عن البطلين كِندة و علي..
خطان متوازيان..سيتداخلان بطريقة ذكية مدروسة.مكحّلان ب twists حلوة جداً
التحرش، زواج القاصرات،الخيانة،صدمات الطفولة،البحث عن الحب،صراع الثقافات،قيمة العائلة.. و الكثير القضايا الجوهرية التي ناقشتها الكاتبة بطريقة أجمل ما فيها أنها للأسف مألوفة و قريبة تحدث دوماً و قد تكون خلف أيٍ من تلك الأبواب التي نراها حين نتمشى في حارتنا..
إن كان لي مأخذ واحد هو أن الكابشن المكتوب على الغلاف الخلفي يُعتبر too revealing و بالنسبة لي حكى اشياء خربت علي متعة اكتشافها و انا اقرأ..كنت أفضل لو كان عاماً أكثر
شكراً سارة
و في طريقي ل beige and blue
الرواية من نوع الفصول المعنونة عن البطلين كِندة و علي..
خطان متوازيان..سيتداخلان بطريقة ذكية مدروسة.مكحّلان ب twists حلوة جداً
التحرش، زواج القاصرات،الخيانة،صدمات الطفولة،البحث عن الحب،صراع الثقافات،قيمة العائلة.. و الكثير القضايا الجوهرية التي ناقشتها الكاتبة بطريقة أجمل ما فيها أنها للأسف مألوفة و قريبة تحدث دوماً و قد تكون خلف أيٍ من تلك الأبواب التي نراها حين نتمشى في حارتنا..
إن كان لي مأخذ واحد هو أن الكابشن المكتوب على الغلاف الخلفي يُعتبر too revealing و بالنسبة لي حكى اشياء خربت علي متعة اكتشافها و انا اقرأ..كنت أفضل لو كان عاماً أكثر
شكراً سارة
و في طريقي ل beige and blue
March 2, 2025
What I like about Sara Badawieh’s books is that it isn’t difficult to get into her books when you first pick them up. I like the double pov’s & the back and forth between the past & present. I also am obsessed with the yearning & slow burn between Ali & Kenda! Moreover, Kenda’s relationship with her mother-in-law is sweet and refreshing. I wish more people had that.
October 5, 2025
Jasmine Tea is a gripping and emotionally layered novel that skillfully alternates between past and present, unfolding through multiple character perspectives. Set in Amman, the novel brings the city to life with rich, immersive detail. The tension builds slowly, uncovering buried secrets and quiet betrayals that keep you on edge. With rich character development, sharp social commentary, and an unpredictable plot, Jasmine Tea is a powerful exploration of love, truth, and the hidden corners of our lives.
September 8, 2023
Jasmine Tea written by the author Sara Badawieh is an intriguing read. The main characters of the story are Kenda and Ali. Before marriage, Kenda's life wasn't good. After her dad expired, Kenda's mom decided to get remarried when Kenda was fourteen years old. Kenda didn't like her step-dad Amo Jawad. His step-dad asked her to keep her room door open at night for him.
If Kenda agrees to it, he will pay his University fees and would also provide food for her. Kenda's mom was aware of it but she stayed silent. For Kenda, the only way to escape from her step-dad was to get married. When her mother talked about getting married to Ali, Kenda agreed to meet him. Ali told her that he is a widower.
After getting married to Ali, Kenda was handed a baby to take care of it. Kenda was shocked to know that it's Ali's baby. Will Kenda accept Ali's family and her new life? What does Ali want from Kenda?
The story is gripping. The twists and turns in the story made it more interesting. The cover photo of the book is nice. The language used in the book is lucid and I was able to follow the story easily. The characters are written well by the author. Go ahead with this book without any second thoughts.
If Kenda agrees to it, he will pay his University fees and would also provide food for her. Kenda's mom was aware of it but she stayed silent. For Kenda, the only way to escape from her step-dad was to get married. When her mother talked about getting married to Ali, Kenda agreed to meet him. Ali told her that he is a widower.
After getting married to Ali, Kenda was handed a baby to take care of it. Kenda was shocked to know that it's Ali's baby. Will Kenda accept Ali's family and her new life? What does Ali want from Kenda?
The story is gripping. The twists and turns in the story made it more interesting. The cover photo of the book is nice. The language used in the book is lucid and I was able to follow the story easily. The characters are written well by the author. Go ahead with this book without any second thoughts.
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